COVER LETTER:

Why would someone who left teaching almost three decades ago be knocking at the schoolhouse door again? I could be considered a traitor, but I tell you it is not so.

Twenty-six years ago I sent out my first cover letter seeking a teaching position. At the time, the field was flooded with applicants, especially at the elementary level, but I was confident that I would have a position the fall after I graduated. I did get that position. I loved the work and I adored the children. (Principal reviews)

After filling two maternity leave positions, I decided to return to school to get my Masters in Library Science (Recommendation to graduate school from education professor, Dr. Chalmers Means). My goal was to get back into the classroom upon completion of the program. A year and a half later I had my MLS, NYS permanent K-6 certification, school media specialist certification, and certification to run a public library.

The MLS program at Syracuse University was forward-looking compared to programs at other universities. The school was known as the “School of Information Studies”. The title “Library Science” was considered outdated. Along with many traditional classes, I took courses in computer programming and built a bibliographic retrieval system. I was the only person in my class to complete the project by the end of the semester. I was hooked. I was one of the top researchers in the school and was asked to help doctoral students ferret out those tidbits of data that were hidden in massive databases which were searched via teletype terminals at a cost ranging from thirty to a hundred or so dollars a minute – years before the internet and Google. I couldn't get enough of it.(References from Syracuse University School of Information Studies).

A twist of fate (that's another story) landed my resume on the desk of Norman Aery, the head of editorial services for Time Magazine in Manhattan. Mr. Aery sent me to visit the head of the Time Research Library, a brilliant elderly gentleman, Benjamin Lightman. When I rejoined Mr. Aery an hour later, he told me a job in Time's library was mine if I wanted it. Then he told me that was not what I wanted. Incredulous, I asked him what he was talking about…of course I wanted it. He stood up, leaned across his desk, and said, “No, you don't. I am going to send you and your resume over to Newsweek and you will work in the computer programming department for Jon Wooley. Jon is my friend. He used to work for Time. Young lady, the future is in computers, that is where information will be managed, and that is what you should be doing.” I've never regretted following his advice. I earned my MBA while working sixty to eighty hour weeks. My career has been challenging and thoroughly enjoyable.

From 1983 to 1993, I was Vice President and co-owner of a software development company, StarTech Software, Inc. Our company developed one of the first online report management and distribution systems - VIEWCOM. The product was purchased by major corporations in the US, Europe, and South America. When my second child was born in 1992, I knew I would have to wind down this phase of my career. I wanted to be with my children. I sold my ownership in the corporation and began my work as a consultant in Manhattan and Rockland County -- taking positions that allowed flexible working arrangements. I needed time to nurture my family.

While my teaching career took a major turn, I continued to employ my skills as an educator. The technical courses I designed and developed were used by myself and by other instructors to train large groups, small teams, and individuals in the effective use of technology. Many courses were tailored to address an immediate need of a single corporate work group. In 1984, I secured a $50 thousand dollar grant from the Social Security Administration for a course that was presented to their internal programming staff over several months.

I have devoted hundreds of volunteer hours to my own school system and to the Rockland County School Boards. My volunteer work highlights -- PTA, New Compact for Learning, Nanuet Family Resource Center, 21C Early Childhood Round Table, Nanuet School Board and Rockland County School Board Associaton -- are summarized here.

I have a thorough knowledge of the NYS Learning Standards. While the standards were still in draft stages, I created the following diagram which shows the linkage and alignment of the standards to curriculum.

If you walked into my home office today, you would find as many bookshelves devoted to education as you would to computer programming and management. My readings in Education are broad and current.

I love to write, listen to and share stories. Some of my stories include:

• Nanuet Graduation Speech - 2004
• What Was I Thinking - Legislative Breakfast 2004
• Closing Remarks - Legislative Breakfast 2003
• A Story - Legislative Breakfast 2002

I've read hundreds of articles, just as many books, and listened to speakers with a wide range of views on how to educate -- and I find that the thoughts and spirit embodied in five quotes speak to my heart and mind.

A Philosophy in Five Quotes

The Boy Who Would Be a Helicopter
Vivian Gussin Paley

...every child comes into the classroom in a vehicle propelled by that child alone, for a particular purpose. Here is where the fair study of children begins and where teaching becomes a moral act. (Forward by Robert Coles)

...only by reaching into the endemic imagery of each child can we proceed together in any mutual enterprise. All else is superficial, we will not have touched one another (p. 12)

The Right to Learn - Linda-Darling Hammond

...the sin quo non of education is whether teachers know how to make complex subjects accessible to diverse learners and whether they can work in partnership with parents and other educators to support children's development (p. 294)

Creating a web of always available supports for students' and teachers' learning is the difficult, unglamorous, but absolutely essential work that will make the difference in school reform. (p. 294)

The Fifth Discipline - Peter Senge

Real learning gets to the heart of what it means to be human ...Through learning, we extend our capacity to create, to be a part of the generative process of life.

RESUME:

You may review my resume here.

REFERENCES:

Education & Related

Dr. Amy Albers
Special Education Consultant
845-627-3606

Dr. Mark McNeill
Superintendent of Schools
Nanuet Union Free School District
845-627-9888

Ms. Mimi Hoffman
Rockland 21C
845-627-5437

Technical Consulting & Training

Mr. Steve Interdonato,
Federal Depository Trust Company
W: 212-855-5823 / H: 516-889-4142

Mr. Jim Russo
Papersolve, Inc.
718-338-1077

Mr. Tom Preuss
Vastech Consulting
516-785-2410

Mr. Fred Ostrofsky - Reference Letter
Technical Traffic Consultants
845-770-3537

Mr. Ed Alexander - Reference Letter
Technical Traffic Consultants
845-770-3596